Georgia running backs coach Bryan McClendon was named this week as the national recruiter of the year by 247Sports.com.

Georgia running backs coach Bryan McClendon was named...

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UGA photo/Perry McIntyre Jr.

Georgia football coach Mark Richt announced Tuesday that running backs coach Bryan McClendon is adding the title of recruiting coordinator.

McClendon is the first Bulldogs assistant with that title since defensive line coach Rodney Garner left in December 2012 for Auburn, his alma mater. McClendon was named last week as 247Sports.com's national recruiter of the year after leading Georgia's efforts with tailbacks Sony Michel and Nick Chubb and defensive end/outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter.

Daryl Jones will continue as director of on-campus recruiting.

Richt also announced that special-teams duties will be split between tight ends coach John Lilly and new inside linebackers coach Mike Ekeler. Lilly will handle kickoff return, punt return and extra point/field goal, while Ekeler will coordinate kickoff, punt-return block and extra point/field goal block.

"This restructuring I believe will give us the best chance to win from a recruiting and special-teams standpoint," Richt said. "Our recruiting effort will be strengthened, and our special teams will be improved as well."

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.